S0027: Vinorelbine Followed by Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed, newly diagnosed, advanced primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or unspecified), designated as 1 of the following stages:
• * Selected stage IIIB (excluding Pancoast tumors)
• * T4 lesion due to malignant pleural effusion OR
• * Multiple lesions in a single lobe containing a T3 or T4 primary
• * Stage IV (any T, any N, M1)
• * Recurrent disease after prior surgery and/or radiotherapy
• Measurable or evaluable disease outside of prior radiation port
• No bronchoalveolar carcinoma
• No brain metastases
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• Zubrod 0-1 (for age 70 and over) (Age 70 and older with Zubrod 0-1 stratum closed to accrual as of 2/15/2003)
• Zubrod 2 (for age 18 and over)
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT/SGPT no greater than 2 times ULN if alkaline phosphatase is no greater than ULN OR
• Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 4 times ULN if SGOT/SGPT are no greater than ULN
• Renal:
• Not specified
• Other:
• No prior severe hypersensitivity to docetaxel or other drugs formulated with polysorbate 80
• No grade 2 or greater sensory neuropathy
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or other adequately treated stage I or II cancer in complete remission
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• No prior or concurrent biologic therapy for NSCLC
• No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF)
• Chemotherapy:
• No prior systemic chemotherapy for NSCLC
• Endocrine therapy:
• No prior or concurrent hormonal therapy for NSCLC
• Radiotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• Concurrent palliative radiotherapy to small-field nonmeasurable lesions (i.e., painful bony lesions) allowed
• No other concurrent radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 3 weeks since prior thoracic or other major surgery and recovered